12/04/2016

Good morning.

You know, one of things I can’t stand is being harassed. I guess I speak for all of us.

It’s really not funny being asked over and over again. And I tell you to my shame that I can feel pretty violent in response.

I didn’t know his name and I didn’t ask. (Perhaps that tells me something about myself.) Anyway, he asked me for money. Not just me. I was with a group on an educational tour and the one thing I didn’t need was this guy with his little jokes, his appealing eyes and his rags for clothes. He just wouldn’t go away.

It was alright at first. Please would I help him with some little money?

No, I wouldn’t. It would only encourage him! Much better a united response. We would ignore him and eventually he would give up. But no, he carried on and on. I even spoke to him angrily but he soon returned. He was poor but I was the one that felt a victim!

In the evening, I told my host what had happened. “Oh, it’s John,” he said. “He’s always like that.”

I complained more strongly, “Something should be done about it.”

“Well,” said my friend, “God can teach his wisdom through the strangest of prophets. You know the injustice being served on my people every day. You know the limitations on John’s life,. You know how much racial prejudice he suffers.
Hasn’t the Easter story taught you anything?”

Jesus set his face to bring good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed. His resurrection shows that God will not be resisted in this. He’ll be as persistent as John the beggar.

So, Holy God, challenge my complacency and teach me to live out your holy justice every day. Amen.